Health officials have urged patients of the clinic to arrange testing for blood-borne diseases, including viruses such as Hepatitis C, but have said “the risk of transmission is very small”.

Australian Dental Association Queensland president Dr Gary Smith said the organisation was monitoring the situation, which was concerning but rare given the profession was relatively low-risk with clear infection control procedures.

“Things like this can give dentistry a bad name, and we want to protect our good name in the community,” he told ABC radio. “But as dentists we are about trying to protect the public.”

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young has assured that public health experts would check relevant procedures were being followed before allowing the clinic to reopen.